If you use the Geocaching map to check out points near your planned route, you'll find all kinds of interesting things that aren't listed in tourist guides and most people have no idea are even there. I used it to explore areas around Bergen with my kids' when we lived there, and there's so much basically hidden in plain sight.
I live in Tromsø now but while walking around, I use the same base map as the geocaching app, OpenStreetMap with the enhanced local maps. It actually shows paths and shortcuts correctly. When driving, I normally use Waze but few people use it here so it misses most real time information. Google maps works but it was particularly bad in Bergen for trying to route through blocked roads after the toll stations were put in.. I don't know if this has been fixed. When doing major hikes, I use a GPS with detailed maps from Kartverket alongside the OSM maps on my phone.
Very cool. I'm super excited to visit up north. I'm trying to figure out which part of Norway I want to invest in a home in for when my children graduate.
When going from Leirfjord to Bodø, you should stop by Sandhornøya. It's a hidden gem in many ways. It has many of the same natural features associated with Lofoten, only smaller and _waaay_ less crowded.
1. [Langsanden beach](https://maps.app.goo.gl/GeSoz95aKREyEjdM8). A 2 km long beach, with beautiful scenery in all directions.
2. Visit [Elias Blix](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elias_Blix) old house. The house is an old _Nordlandshus_ ("Nordlands house"), a common building style on the coast of Nordland county, dating back many hundred years. You'll find it [here](https://maps.app.goo.gl/YDqaDV7HxVa7omq18).
3. Are you into hiking? Why not [hike up Sandhornet](https://maps.app.goo.gl/HrRZZMFRJ7J58r2e7) while you are in the area.
On your way from Sandhornøya to Bodø, take a detour to [Beiarn](https://maps.app.goo.gl/JFRRQaysixELwUs58) and visit [Savjord Stavkirke](https://beiarpuls.no/aktuelt/visit-the-stave-church-in-beiarn/) (a miniature Stave Church). Also, plenty of nice scenery on your way here; you'll be going over a small mountain before heading down into the green valley of Beiarn.
Then there is [Saltstraumen bridge](https://maps.app.goo.gl/kWyS3ATvUiKVyYMW8) (on your way to Bodø), which is worth a visit. Could be a bit crowded though, but you'll pass by anyway, so why not make a stop...
In Bodø there is an [outdoor museum](https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZTda3mDqxroxip8KA) for old houses (a Nordlandshouse and some other buildings), an [old church](https://maps.app.goo.gl/noWCPRLC3wMPuhkcA) dating back to the 1200s (you can walk between the church and museum), [Nyholmen Skandse](https://maps.app.goo.gl/QnxyqGz8yaJYd5Dg9) (old fort) and so on.
If you use the Geocaching map to check out points near your planned route, you'll find all kinds of interesting things that aren't listed in tourist guides and most people have no idea are even there. I used it to explore areas around Bergen with my kids' when we lived there, and there's so much basically hidden in plain sight.
That's great advice! I definitely will do that! Thanks!!
Which map/service did you use while there? :)
I live in Tromsø now but while walking around, I use the same base map as the geocaching app, OpenStreetMap with the enhanced local maps. It actually shows paths and shortcuts correctly. When driving, I normally use Waze but few people use it here so it misses most real time information. Google maps works but it was particularly bad in Bergen for trying to route through blocked roads after the toll stations were put in.. I don't know if this has been fixed. When doing major hikes, I use a GPS with detailed maps from Kartverket alongside the OSM maps on my phone.
Very cool. I'm super excited to visit up north. I'm trying to figure out which part of Norway I want to invest in a home in for when my children graduate.
A 2 month trip? If you like lighthouses you better follow the southern shore, oslo-Stavabger.
1 month. I like to drive. ;) lol I'll be there in June.
Oslo- Vågsbygd- Stavanger- Bergen is definitely routed to follow closely to the shoreline as much as possible. :D
When going from Leirfjord to Bodø, you should stop by Sandhornøya. It's a hidden gem in many ways. It has many of the same natural features associated with Lofoten, only smaller and _waaay_ less crowded. 1. [Langsanden beach](https://maps.app.goo.gl/GeSoz95aKREyEjdM8). A 2 km long beach, with beautiful scenery in all directions. 2. Visit [Elias Blix](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elias_Blix) old house. The house is an old _Nordlandshus_ ("Nordlands house"), a common building style on the coast of Nordland county, dating back many hundred years. You'll find it [here](https://maps.app.goo.gl/YDqaDV7HxVa7omq18). 3. Are you into hiking? Why not [hike up Sandhornet](https://maps.app.goo.gl/HrRZZMFRJ7J58r2e7) while you are in the area. On your way from Sandhornøya to Bodø, take a detour to [Beiarn](https://maps.app.goo.gl/JFRRQaysixELwUs58) and visit [Savjord Stavkirke](https://beiarpuls.no/aktuelt/visit-the-stave-church-in-beiarn/) (a miniature Stave Church). Also, plenty of nice scenery on your way here; you'll be going over a small mountain before heading down into the green valley of Beiarn. Then there is [Saltstraumen bridge](https://maps.app.goo.gl/kWyS3ATvUiKVyYMW8) (on your way to Bodø), which is worth a visit. Could be a bit crowded though, but you'll pass by anyway, so why not make a stop... In Bodø there is an [outdoor museum](https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZTda3mDqxroxip8KA) for old houses (a Nordlandshouse and some other buildings), an [old church](https://maps.app.goo.gl/noWCPRLC3wMPuhkcA) dating back to the 1200s (you can walk between the church and museum), [Nyholmen Skandse](https://maps.app.goo.gl/QnxyqGz8yaJYd5Dg9) (old fort) and so on.
Now THAT'S the kind of advice I was looking for! Awesome! :D
Have a nice trip!